Claiming a resounding mandate to serve a second five-year term, Mr Kenyatta accepted victory after securing 98 per cent of the vote in an election boycotted by his rival Raila Odinga.

But with just 38.8 per cent of voters choosing to participate in the election, Mr Kenyatta faces a struggle to assert his authority and legitimacy over a fractured country increasingly polarised on ethnic lines.

The president also knows from experience that being declared winner of an election does not guarantee assuming office. His victory in August was overturned by the supreme court, which found “illegalities and irregularities” in the way the vote was counted.

A protester hurls a stone at the police during a standoff between Kenyan police and supporters of Kenyan opposition leaderCredit: FREDRIK LERNERYD/ AFP

A new challenge seems highly likely, given that the constitution requires a presidential election to be held in all 290 of Kenya’s constituencies. Voting was abandoned in 25 western counties without a ballot being cast after security forces clashed with opposition supporters trying to prevent polling stations opening.

Mr Odinga, who has promised to lead a peaceful campaign of civil disobedience and national resistance, is expected to speak to his supporters on Tuesday.

Raila Odinga addressing thousands of his supporters as he drives through Kawangware slum after attending a church service in Nairobi, KenyaCredit: DANIEL IRUNGU/ EPA

Western diplomats, church leaders and human rights activists have warned that Kenya, which witnessed more than 1,300 deaths after a disputed election in 2007, risks sustained violence unless the president and his rival negotiate a way out of the impasse.

Rory Stewart, the Africa minister, yesterday called for “transparent national dialogue”, saying he was “deeply concerned by outbreaks of ethnic and political violence”.

President Uhuru Kenyatta delivers his speech after being declared by Kenya’s election commission Independent Electoral and Boundaries CommissionCredit: DANIEL IRUNGU/EPA

President Kenyatta’s acceptance speech was, however, notably light on conciliatory language, saying he would only countenance talks with Mr Odinga once any legal challenges to his victory had been addressed.

Instead, the president excoriated his rival for refusing to participate in an election he had gone to court to secure.

“You cannot choose for the opportunity to exercise a right and thereafter abscond from the consequences of that choice,” Mr Kenyatta said.